Let’s be honest: the fear of not being good enough is real. I’ve often felt like a fraud whenever I’m serving in school, my CCA or even in ministry at church.

The experience of looking around and feeling as though you pale in comparison to the talents of others is not unfamiliar to me – imposter syndrome is something that I still struggle with.

And realistically, I know I may be tempted feel even worse about this as I grow older.

That’s why I’ve learnt to hold on to these three truths in my struggle with imposter syndrome. Hopefully, they can encourage you too!

1. Almost everyone struggles with imposter syndrome – you are not alone

According to a survey done by Asana in 2020, 74% of workers in Singapore reported experiencing imposter syndrome. As awareness about imposter syndrome has increased over the years, I wouldn’t be surprised if the figure in 2024 is higher.

Nearly everybody struggles with imposter syndrome – in fact, Moses did too!

Reading Exodus 3-4, Moses’ cries to the Lord really resonated with me. To me, his concerns about not being eloquent enough and nobody taking him seriously weren’t simply excuses to get out of serving the Lord.

I believe that Moses was just genuinely worried that he wouldn’t be able to serve God well.

If even Moses, a hero of faith, wrestled so deeply with what we might call imposter syndrome, I reckon — we all face it at one point or another.

So, take heart in the fact that you aren’t alone in this struggle. And because we aren’t alone, we know there’s help available. 

2. God doesn’t call the equipped, He equips the called

Throughout Exodus 4, Moses constantly asked God why he was chosen to lead. Moses was wondering what made him so “special” or talented, that he should be chosen over others. 

In response, the Lord was patient with Moses and reframed his perspective. He told Moses not to focus on his lack of abilities, but to look up. 

“Moses said to the Lord, “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” The Lord said to him, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord?” (Exodus 4:10-11)

While we should strive for excellence in all areas of our lives so that God gets the glory, we should recognise that we can never reach a point which is “good enough” and will suffice a perfect God.

If God was looking for the most qualified and perfect person to serve Him, He wouldn’t be looking at any of us on Earth. Nobody would fit the bill. 

So, don’t give any room to pointless fear. Remember who the Lord is, rather than fretting over who you are. 

In 1 Samuel 16:6-13, the Lord tells Samuel that He chose David to be anointed as the king, over all of Jesse’s older sons.

Samuel had actually believed that Eliab would be the chosen king, but the Lord cautioned him to “not consider his appearance or his height” and reminded him that “people look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).

We may not always be competent and qualified by earthly metrics, but the Lord operates from His perspective and He looks at the heart. Character comes before competence. 

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9, ESV)

Here, the Lord assures us that He calls imperfect people like us to serve Him because it is in our weakness that His power is made perfect.

In all of our endeavours, we must be dependent on His strength, and not our own. We can trust that if God has called us, He will surely equip us.

So, you are not a fraud. God sees your heart and your desire to learn and grow. If He is calling you to something, He will equip you for the road ahead. 

3. Avoid comparing yourself with others

Colossians 3:2 tells us to set our eyes on the heavenly things above instead of on earthly things.

What I’ve learnt from this verse is that by focusing on my own relationship with the Lord and my personal growth, I can avoid making unnecessary comparisons of my life with other people.

Of course, this doesn’t come easy. At times, I have been tempted to feel like I was falling behind compared to my peers. It can be very discouraging.

But I try to remind myself that I’m on my own journey in life with Jesus. I just need to focus on being faithful with what He has given me, especially the little things. 

Imagine you’ve managed to get into law school. You feel incompetent compared to others.

Some people have done law internships, while some have experience through Model United Nations and are more familiar with argumentation and readings. Others still, may even have family members in law firms who are already ready to assist them in everything they need!

It’s tempting to compare. But we must remember instead that we are all in the same place now — and God has placed you there.

God may have used those opportunities and environments to equip those other people because He deemed these things suitable for them. It shouldn’t matter to you; He can well use another opportunity or way to equip you! 

So, don’t hyper-fixate on how you might not match up to others. Instead, surrender these insecurities to the Lord and rely on His strength and direction. 

If you’re feeling like a deer in headlights and struggling to understand how you ended up where you are, take heart. Don’t beat yourself up over not measuring up to earthly standards of who is “deserving” or “qualified” for what you have.

Romans 8:28 reminds us that all things work together for good and for His purpose, so there’s no need to diminish your hard work and God’s blessings for you by chalking up whatever you have to dumb luck or a happy accident. 

We should pursue excellence and be diligent in everything we do while recognising that we are reliant on the Lord’s strength, and He will provide for us. 

God has placed you where you are for a reason.

In the long run, He intends on using this chapter of your life to bless you and others — even if you feel like a fish out of the water right now. 

His love for you doesn’t depend on what you’ve accomplished. He sees you as you are and knows your weaknesses.

In His eyes, you will never be a fraud or an imposter.